Tone-modifying device for banjos



Jan. 25, 1927.

W. L. LANGE TONE MODIFYING DEVICE FOR BANJOS Filed June 4, 1924 INVENTOR WzZlzarnL.Lanye,

ill

Patented Jan. 25, 1927.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM L. LANGE,

on NEW YORK, N. Y.

TONE-MODIFYING DEVICE FOR BANJ'OS.

Application filed June 4,

This invention relates to banjos and other diaphragm musical and noise instruments of all kinds, though it is noted that the invention is not limited to diaphragmsnor in some respects even to musical instruments.

()ne object of the invention is to provide an instrument of this kind easily adjustable for tones of different kinds such as full, sharp and intermediate tones.

Another object of the invention is to provide an instrument or device of this kind having vellum tension'ad-justing means having its manipulating parts disposed within the instrument.

Another object of the invention is to provide an instrument or device of this kind having a resonator back conveniently removable for adjusting the tension or for other purposes.

Other objects of the invention are to improve generally the sim licity and efficiency of such instruments an. to provide a device or instrument of this kind which is durable, economical to manufacture, assemble and operate, and which will not get out of order.

Still other objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds; and while herein details of the invention are described, the invention is not limited to these since many and various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.

The inventive features for the accomplishment of these and other objects are shown herein in connection with an improved banjo or other similar instrument, though the invention may be embodied in other sound instrument-s.

In-theaccompanying drawing, showing by way of'example, one of many possible embodiments of the invention,

Fig. l is an axial vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, showing the banjo;

. Fig. 2 is a bottom view; and

Fig. 3 is a fragmental side elevation of a portion of the side of the banjo.

My invention is embodied in a banjo or other musical instrument comprising an annular sheet metal frame formed with an inturned upper seatfiange 11, an intermediate horizontal outer ledge 12 having small sound openings 13 (Fig. 2) therein, and a downwardly disposed enlargedportion 14 having therein large soundopenings 15 and slotted openings 16 (Fig. .3) leavingtherebetween imperforate inter-spaces 17 as wide 1924. Serial No. 717,761.

as or wider than the diameter of the openings 16.

A wooden saddle ring 18 resting on said seat flange 11 carries outer and inner upstanding tone rings 19 and 20 respectively seated on the outer edge and near the inner edge of said saddle ring, the inner rings 20 being slightly the highest. A vellum 21 tensioncd over said tone rings is provided with a strain ring 22 disposed around the frame, on which rests a strain ring 25 receiving rods on hooks 26 hooked on the flesh ring and having lower threaded ends extending through bolt holes in the ledge 12 and receiving nuts 27 in said frame engaging under said ledge.

A damper ring 29 frictionally disposed in said enlarged portion 14 against said ledge is provided with damper openings 28 registerable with said large openings 15 when the damper ring is in one position and closed by said interspaces 17 when the damper ring is in another position. Diametrica'lly opposite pins 30 having manipulating milled heads 31 are secured in said. damper ring 29 and engageable in small recesses 33 of said openings 16 when the damper ring is in open position, and in recesses 34c when the damper is in closed position, and in a passage slot 35 extending through the lower edge of the frame when the damper ring is being removed'from the frame.

A downwardly concave-convex resonator 36 iscarried in said damper ring 29 on an inturned lower flange 37.

Theoperation of the instrument is simple and obvious from the foregoing.

When the damper openings are in register with the large sound openings, the sound passes out through both the large and small openings and the instrument gives a full, deep, rich tone; but when. the damper openings are out of register, the sound waves pass out through the small openings -13'and give a sharp tone. The damper ring is moved from one position to the other by manipulating the milled heads 31. When thedamperopenings are in partial register,

an intermediate tone is obtained.

-When the tension of the vellum isto be adjusted or when the damper ring or the resonatorare to be removed for any purpose, it is only necessary to move the pinsBO to their rmid position and push them downward, thus removingthe ring, and permitting'manipulation o-fthe nuts 28.

The two tone rings seated in the single saddle ring give a larger sound volume than a single tone ring would; and they lengthen the life of the vellum as their pressure on the vellum is not as concentrated as would be the pressure from a single ring, and they do not bend the vellum to so sharp an angle.

The resonator and damper ring are re ceived in place with a friction fit which permits easy assembling and disassembling.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination, an annular frame having therein sound openings; a diaphragm over said frame; and a damper ring slidable against said frame and provided with openings registerable with said sound openings.

In combination, an annular frame having therein sound openings; a diaphragm over said frame; a damper ring slidable ithin said frame and provided with openings registerable with said sound openings; and exterior means for adjusting the damper ring.

3. In combination, an annular frame having therein sound openings, a pair of which have lateral recesses in the edge; a vellum tensioned over said frame; a damper ring in said frame provided with damper openings registereble with said sound openings; and pins in said damper ring adapted to engage in said recesses.

e. In combination, an annular frame having therein sound openings; a vellum tensioned over said frame; and a removable damper ring in said frame provided with damper openings registerable with said sound openings.

5. In combination, an annular frame having therein sound openings, a pair of which have slots passing to the lower edge of the frame; a vellum tensioned over said frame; a damper ring in said frame provided with damper ,penings registerable with said sound openings; and pins in said damper ring at said slotted opening and adapted to pass through the slot.

6. In combination, an annular frame hav ing therein large sound openings; a vellum tensioned over said frame; one of said large openings being provided with recesses at the sides and with a passage slot extending through the lower edge of the frame; a damper ring frictionall disposed in said frame and provided with damper openings register-able with sairv large openings, except the slotted and recessed openings, when the damper ring is in one position closed by said interspaces when the damper ring is in another position: diametrically opposite pins secured in said damper ring and engageable in one of said recesses when the damper ring is in open position, and in the other recess when the damper is in closed position, and in said passage slot when the damper ring is being removed from the frame; milled heads on the outer ends of the pins for manipulating the damper ring; and a resonator secured in the lower part of said damper ring.

7. In combination, a frame forming a chamber having small and large sound openings; a vellum tensioned over said frame for vibrating the air in the chamber; and means for adjustably closing said large sound openings.

8. In combination, a frame comprising an intermediate horizontal outer ledge having small sound openings therein, and an enlarged lower portion having therein large sound openings; a vellum tensioned over said frame; and means for adjusiably closing said large sound openings.

9. In combination, an annular frame having small and large sound openings therein; a vellum tensioned over said frame; and a damper ring in said frame provided with damper openings registerable with said large sound openings.

10. In combination, an annular frame having therein sound openings, a pair of which have slots passing to the lower edge of the frame; a damper ring in said frame; and pins in said damper ring adapted to pass through the slot.

11. In combination, an annular frame having therein large sound openings; a vellum tensioned over said frame; a damper ring in said frame provided with damper openings registerable with said large sound openings; and a resonator carried in the lower part of the damper rin 12. In combination, an annular frame having therein sound openings; a vellum tensioned over said frame; a damper ring in said frame provided with damper openings registerable with said sound openings and having an inturned lower flange; and a resonator carried in the lower part of the damper ring on said flange.

13. In combination, an annular sheet metal frame formed with an intermediate horizontal outer ledge having small sound openings therein, and a downwardly disposed enlarged portion having therein large sound openings leaving therebetween imperforate interspaces wider than the diameter of the openings; a damper ring frietionally disposed in said enlarged portion against said ledge and provided with an in turned lower flange and with damper openings registerable with said large openings when the damper ring is in one position closed by said interspaces hen the damper ring is in another position; and a downwardly concave-convened resonator resting in said damper ring on said lower flange.

14. In combination, a frame; a wooden saddle ring resting on said frame; a tone ring on said saddle ring; and a vellum tensioned on said tone ring.

15. In combination, an annular frame; a

saddle ring resting on said frame; separate tone rings on said saddle ring; and a vellum tensioned on said tone rings.

16. In combination, an annular frame having an inturned upper flange seat; a saddle ring resting on said seat; outer and inner upstanding tone rings respectively seated on the outer edge and near the inner edge of said saddle ring the inner ring being slightly the highest; and. a vellum tensioned on said tone rings.

17. In eoi'nbination, an annular sheet metal frame iorn'ied with an inturned upper seat flange an intermediate horizontal outer ledge having bolt holes therein, and a downwardl disposed enlarged portion; a wooden saddle ring resting on said seat; outer and inner upstanding tone rings respectively seated on the outer edge and near the inner edge of said saddle ring, the inner ring be ing slightly the highest; a vellum tensioned over said tone rings and provided with a flesh ring disposed around the frame; a strain ring resting on the flesh ring; hooks hooked on the flesh ring and having lower threaded ends extending through said bolt holes; and nuts on the said lower ends and engaging under said ledge.

18. In combination, a one piece banjo frame having openings therein, a vellum tensioned over said frame, said frame being arranged in successive diameters from the top to the bottom thereof, the larger of said diameters being perforated with sound emitting holes therein the smallest diameter having an inwardly turned upper seat flange.

Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York this 3rd day of June A. D. 1924.

WILLIAM L. LANGE. 

